Guidance

Approval process for EV chargepoint manufacturers

How to register your chargepoints for OZEV chargepoint grant schemes as a manufacturer.

From:
Office for Zero Emission Vehicles
Published
4 July 2022

On 1 April 2022, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) reformed its grant schemes. The EV chargepoint grant replaced the Electric Vehicles Homecharge Scheme (EVHS).

Chargepoints will now be approved for either residential or commercial use.

Chargepoints approved for residential use (which includes all chargepoints previously approved for EVHS) can be used for the following schemes:

Chargepoints approved for commercial use (which includes all chargepoints previously approved for the Workplace Charging Scheme) can be used for the following schemes:

General requirements

To be approved by OZEV for installation, all chargepoints must meet a minimum set of technical requirements known as the:

Approval is needed for all new models or changes to existing models.

Each model must have a unique name or identification that is easily identifiable and may be readily used by installers when applying for grants.

Any inconsistencies between the model listed on the OZEV-approved chargepoint model lists and the model name supplied on the equipment may lead to grant applications being rejected and action taken against manufacturers.

To ensure equipment meets the minimum technical specification, we recommend that manufacturers consider getting third-party certification by a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)-accredited laboratory, or equivalent, before applying.

Manufacturers may not use the OZEV logo, which is for government use only. They may, however, state that their equipment is OZEV-approved.

How to apply for a chargepoint approval

Manufacturers must apply to OZEV using the chargepoint model approval form. This consists of a series of questions designed to evaluate if the model meets the relevant minimum technical specification.

Apply for chargepoint model approval

If your application is successful, OZEV will notify you and add the chargepoint model to our published lists:

For any queries on chargepoint authorisation, contact ChargepointApprovals@dft.gov.uk.

Documents required

The following documents are required for each model to be approved.

  • warranty document
  • declaration of conformity certificate
  • operating manual
  • statements regarding the cybersecurity of the chargepoint

The following sections describe the requirements for each of these documents:

Warranty document

To be approved by OZEV, the warranty document must include:

  • a statement that confirms that the minimum operational life of the chargepoint is 3 years from the date of installation
  • a statement that confirms that the warranty is valid for a period of 3 years from the date of installation
  • a statement that confirms that any on-site assistance, repairs and replacements are provided for free
  • a statement that confirms that the warranty covers both parts and labour
  • an explanation of the procedures for the customer to seek the manufacturer’s assistance, including contact details of the manufacturer (or the third party that provides assistance)
  • a list of the evidence necessary for the customer to obtain the manufacturer’s assistance
  • a list of the exclusions and caveats that make the warranty inapplicable

Declaration of conformity

Each chargepoint model submitted to OZEV for approval must be accompanied by an EC declaration of conformity certificate for CE marking, drafted in accordance with EC Directive 768/2008/EC Annex III or by Declaration of Conformity for UKCA marking.

The EC declaration of conformity or Declaration of Conformity for UKCA marking must include a statement by the manufacturer that demonstrates that each of the chargepoint models for which the OZEV approval is sought fulfils the requirements of the British standards and regulations referenced in the:

Operating manual

The operating manual must include:

  • an index
  • a safety information notice which summarises the risks associated to the installation and use of the chargepoint and explains how to prevent them
  • a conceptual design and/or manufacturing drawing, with corresponding description and instructions, for the operation of the chargepoint
  • a list of the buttons, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and icons displayed on screen (if any) to explain the charging status of the chargepoint – this shall include a list of the potential errors and warnings and the actions necessary to address them
  • step-by-step instructions for installers for the correct installation and set-up of the chargepoint
  • an explanation of the charging modes available for users to recharge their electric vehicles
  • if provided, a description of the set-up and operation of the back-end software and/or the associated smartphone application
  • a summary factsheet or table that lists all the technical specifications of the chargepoint, such as rated power and current, sockets, dimensions and weight, operative conditions and protections available
  • instructions on how to dispose of the chargepoint properly
  • contact details of the manufacturer for users and installers to seek assistance

Cybersecurity statements

Manufacturers must either comply with the cybersecurity requirements in The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 or provide answers to the following questions:

  1. How does the chargepoint ensure an appropriate level of encryption of the communications between the chargepoint and the chargepoint operator?
  2. How does the chargepoint operator ensure its communications and functions are appropriately encrypted?

Manufacturers must provide a detailed description of the features that ensure communications between the chargepoint and chargepoint operator are secure, preferably referring to any relevant standards in their response.

Compliance with the European Network for Cyber Security EV Charging Systems Security Requirements is considered an appropriate level of cybersecurity.

Product variants

If, as a manufacturer, you want approval for a family of chargepoints, meaning, a group of chargepoint models characterised by having the same electrical architecture and covered by the same safety certificates, but having different housings, externalities or other features from that originally approved (or a base model), you can submit one application to cover that family.

To gain approval for product variants you should contact ChargepointApprovals@dft.gov.uk and provide the following information:

OZEV will review applications and inform the applicant if individual applications are required.

Manufacturer responsibilities

On-site warranty requirements

It’s the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure that a valid 3-year on-site warranty is provided to the applicant – either via the installer or directly – at the time of installation.

If the manufacturer plans to meet OZEV’s warranty requirements through partners, resellers or installers, this must be explained in the warranty document.

The manufacturer is expected to honour this warranty by:

  • providing on-site assistance to applicants
  • attempting to repair chargepoints directly at the applicant’s site(s) – should this not be possible or if additional work is required, manufacturers must either attempt to fix the chargepoint at their own premises or replace it at no extra cost to the applicant

If the manufacturer requires the applicant to return parts of the chargepoint to them, the applicant is not liable for the costs associated with doing so.

Required standards and penalties for misconduct

Manufacturers must:

  • monitor for any changes to the minimum technical standards
  • inform OZEV if their charging equipment no longer meets the required standards

OZEV reserves the right to take whatever action it deems appropriate if there is any evidence of:

  • scheme requirements not being upheld
  • fraudulent activity
  • misuse of government funding by any party

This may include removal of specific (or all) manufacturer’s chargepoint models from the approved chargepoint list.

What to do when standards change

OZEV requires that EV chargepoints meet the latest versions of the standards specified in the minimum technical specification for equipment. OZEV is not able to ‘grandfather’ approvals to earlier versions.

Manufacturers should therefore ensure they have a process to enable them to identify any changes to the standards listed and a process to assess whether this would affect their chargepoints.

If the versions of the standards referred to in the minimum technical specification change, OZEV may require a statement or evidence from a manufacturer confirming that their existing approved equipment meets the new standards. OZEV will contact manufacturers with precise instructions should the minimum technical specification change.

Where a manufacturer is unable to demonstrate that their equipment meets the requirements of an update to the minimum technical specification, it will be removed from the list of approved EV chargepoints.

The removal of such equipment from the list may coincide with the withdrawal of an old standard, but OZEV reserves the right to perform this at an earlier date.

Published 4 July 2022
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